St. Martin man may face over 600 counts of child molestation; bail set at $2 million

Cherie Ward/Press RegisterFrederick "Freddy" Morris was arrested at 1:46 this morning. at his home on Windsor Porte in St. Martin after a complaint was reported to investigators. Morris was charged with 20 counts of child molestation.

PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- A 35-year-old St. Martin man was arrested early Monday morning and charged on 20 counts of child molestation, authorities said.

Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd said Frederick "Freddy" Morris was arrested at 1:46 a.m. Monday at his home on Windsor Porte after a complaint was reported to investigators.

Morris told County Judge Larry Wilson in court Monday that he did not have a job and lived with his wife and children at the home where he was arrested.

According to the counts, the alleged molestation happened at Morris' home, and was with an underage female that is known to Morris.

The molestation, court records reflected, went on for about six years, and began on Sept. 2, 2005 when the girl was nine years old.

The girl, an investigator said, is now 15, and, according to court records, was last molested by Morris on Sunday.

Cherie Ward/Press RegisterFrederick "Freddy" Morris lowered his head, and placed it on his hands that were in a praying position as the County Judge Larry Wilson read each of the 20 child molestation aloud.

Morris lowered his head, and placed it on his hands that were in a praying position as the judge read each of the 20 counts aloud.

Detectives told the judge that at least 600 counts of child molestation would be presented to a grand jury in the case. Additional counts may be brought, depending on what the continuing investigation revealed.

The judge then set Morris' bail at $2 million, or $100,000 for each of the 20 counts.

Wilson set a preliminary hearing for Morris on June 30.

"Mr. Morris," Wilson said. "You are to have no contact with the minor or her family. No telephone calls, e-mailing, no going on FaceBook, texting, or anything like that."

Morris did not have an attorney when he left the courtroom, but said he would most likely contact a public defender. He remained in the Jackson County Adult Detention Center Monday.

If convicted of 20 counts of child molestation, Morris faces up to 15 years in prison on each count or 300 years.

Morris' arrest marks the second St. Martin man charged in less than a week on sex-related crimes against children.